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Distance Learning
Today was my son’s first day of distance learning. My son is three, which means it was also his first day of Pre-School. Here’s the thing. As a working mom who works from home, I have been looking forward to my children going to school for full days pretty much since they could walk and talk. Before COVID, he went to daycare for full days and a family member would watch my daughter so, when it was time for work, I could focus on work. Those sweet, sweet days are long gone.
I remember before the Pandemic I was so nervous about Jay going to pre-school. I was sure I was going to be that mother who stood outside of the door and listened to make sure everything was ok then called the school every hour to check in on him. When we first sent him to daycare, it took me forever to leave him that first week. He would cry, I would cry, I called and checked on him hourly, I know his teacher was thoroughly annoyed by me.
Jay’s school has implemented the Hybrid model for this year. This means that parents have the option to either send their children to school for full days or, elect full-time distance learning. If at any point you choose to change from distance learning to the in-class option, you have to give them ten days’ notice. I will be giving my notice. I told myself I was going to wait for the first wave of kids to go and see how that went, and I’m sticking to that, but if in a month everything is going well and there are no cases at his school, he’s going to school.
Distance learning is distracting. It was already difficult working and tending to them but when you add in distance learning (especially with a three-year-old) it’s hard. It’s not like I can just turn on the computer and he participates. I have to stop what I’m doing, get him set up, debate with him about sitting in front of the computer, encourage him to participate, etc. etc. etc. Basically, I have to attend pre-school. Today I was singing along to the songs trying to get him to sing, I was following the teacher’s instructions trying to show him how to do it. I am literally a pre-school student.
By the end of the session, my son looked at me and said, “ok, that’s enough.” Are you kidding me? Who does this kid think he is? I couldn’t believe that after I was the one doing all the activities while he sat there telling me how much he wasn’t interested he says, “that’s enough.” I’m telling you; I’m sending this kid to school the minute I feel it’s all clear. I will not be standing at the door to hear how it’s going, nor will I be calling to annoy the teachers anymore. Their jobs are hard enough as it is. Teachers are superheroes and it takes a special kind of person to do their jobs, I’m not that person. One thing’s for sure, I will be beefing up those holiday gifts. They deserve it.